Nuclear Processes in Hydrogen-Loaded Metals

Miley et al. and, independently, Mizuno et al. claim to have observed nuclides produced in Ni (Z = 28) when an electrolytic light-water cell is used. Miley et al. use thin layers of Ni (5 × 10-6 cm) and claim that the effect is reproducible. The secondary nuclides are distributed in a wide range of Z and A and show nuclides with Z < 28 and accumulations at Z = 48 and 78. If the nuclides at Z = 48 and 78 are Ni-Ni fusion, they can be produced only when the original Ni nuclei gain sufficient kinetic energy to overcome the Ni-Ni repulsive Coulomb barrier.

The foregoing data are discussed in terms of current physics. In particular, it is assumed that the gain of kinetic energy derives from an impulsive increase of absolute nuclear binding energies of Ni due to a high rate of capture of orbital electrons and consequent almost instantaneous multiple p → n transitions. Under this hypothesis, neutrino emission should be detected during nuclear transmutation.